Environmental Readiness

5/11/2019 (Permalink)

Design and implement an emergency action plan for your entire building

Environmental Readiness

If you own or operate a business in Bowling Green, KY, you may be interested in improving your building's resilience to inclement weather such as a spring storm. Don't delay implementing the simple tips below to improve the quality of your working environment and the well-being of your employees.

1. Awareness of Conditions

The most basic step you can take as a responsible administrator is to stay aware of the local weather. Someone on staff should have as part of their job responsibilities a daily review of the weather forecast. If severe storms are projected, stay tuned to a NOAA radio broadcast or website for further information. Design and implement an emergency action plan for your entire building, including shutdown and evacuation procedures.

2. Preventative Maintenance

Even if you can't change the weather in your area, you can keep your building from suffering undue storm damage when the worst conditions strike. Maintain your buildings water and air barrier through yearly inspections of the plastic sheets, basement pumps, and roofing materials. Any moisture that has accumulated in the insulation or flooring should be deferred to a qualified flood cleanup professional. Make sure that all pipes and piping joints are in good condition and have sufficient sealant. If a pipe break occurs, shut off all water at the mains and locate a replacement part immediately.

3. Outdoors

Flooding during a spring storm can also be the result of poor landscaping. Ensure that the grade of the soil and roads near your property slopes away from doorways and crawlspace entry points. Check for blockages or overgrowth near drainage ditches. In flowerbeds, use heavy mulches or gravel to allow for drainage and to prevent erosion.

The checklist for flood readiness doesn't have to be miles long. By adding a few common sense steps to your monthly routine, you can be prepared for any spring storm.